Congressman Moakley (1927-2001) was a distinguished Suffolk Alumnus (JD ’56), recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Administration (1977), and University Trustee who epitomized the Suffolk student. He was a state legislator when he enrolled in Suffolk Law School, toiling days in the State House and nights in class and study. His legal education helped bring out his extraordinary character as he went on to make life better for untold numbers of people - not only his constituents, but also people across the state and around the world. After serving as a state representative (1954-1960), a state senator (1964-1970), and a city councilor (1971-1972), Moakley defeated incumbent Louise Day Hicks in a closely contested race for Congress. Joe Moakley went on to serve the Massachusetts 9th Congressional District for almost 30 years (1973-2001) before succumbing to leukemia in 2001.